The Sri Lankan cricket community is grieving the loss of veteran coach Sumith Fernando, who passed away at the age of sixty-two. His death followed a violent altercation with players at a training session held on August 8 at the Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club in Colombo. The incident has prompted an ongoing police investigation, resulting in the arrest of a minor linked to the dispute. This tragic event has raised concerns about player-coach relationships and safety within sports environments in Sri Lanka.
Family, friends, and members of the sporting community gathered to lay him to rest on Thursday, August 13. Legacy and Mentorship of Kusal Mendis Beyond his club duties, Fernando was a revered figure in domestic cricket and a resident of Moratuwa. Among his most notable pupils was Sri Lanka national ODI and T20I captain Kusal Mendis, who developed his foundational skills under Fernando’s guidance during his school days. In addition to his coaching contributions, Fernando also managed responsibilities as the curator for the Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club.
He previously spent years coaching at the Prince of Wales College in Moratuwa, where he shaped the early careers of numerous promising athletes.
